Gaming machine, linked gaming system and method with variable eligibility for an award

Abstract

A method of awarding an award on a gaming machine is set forth. The method includes selecting an eligibility criterion or eligibility criteria from a plurality of possible eligibility criteria. The selected criterion is deemed to be an active award trigger event. Game play activity on the gaming machine is then monitored for occurrence of this trigger event. When the active award trigger event occurs, the award is awarded. Following award of the award, or following the occurrence of another event, the selected eligibility criterion are rendered inactive award trigger event, and another eligibility criterion is selected as the active award trigger event.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A gaming machine comprising:
 a game controller comprising a computational device and data storage in communication with the computational device; and 
 a user interface comprising at least one display and one or more input devices in communication with the game controller to facilitate play of a game at the gaming machine; 
 wherein the data storage includes a definition of a plurality of possible eligibility criteria, each defining a winning outcome of the game that may occur during play of the game on the gaming machine; 
 wherein the game controller selects, using a random selection process, one or more of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria to thereby define at least one active award trigger event associated with an active award, and displays information on a display at the gaming machine identifying the selected eligibility criteria, and wherein the game controller further monitors play of the game on the gaming machine for occurrence of the active award trigger event and, in response to a predefined change event occurring before the active award trigger event, the game controller selects, using the random selection process, a new one or more of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria; wherein the game controller delays the selection for a delay period following occurrence of the predefined change event; and 
 wherein when the active award trigger event occurs, the game controller causes the gaming machine to award the active award. 
 
     
     
       2. The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the predefined change event comprises an event selected from the group of:
 a time-based event, the occurrence of which is dictated according to either determinative or random criteria; 
 receipt by the game controller of a predefined command from a networked device; or 
 a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       3. The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein in different selections of one or more of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria to define the at least one active award trigger event, the selection is made from different sets of possible eligibility criteria. 
     
     
       4. The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined change event that the variation is one or more of:
 the elapsing of a certain period of time; 
 the provision by the player of a particular wager; or 
 receipt of a change input at an operator interface of a device, separate from the gaming machine, in direct or indirect communication with the gaming machine. 
 
     
     
       5. The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the active award is a special prize selected from the group comprising a progressive prize, a non-cash prize and a large prize. 
     
     
       6. The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein different ones of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria have different probabilities of occurrence. 
     
     
       7. A gaming system comprising a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising a communication interface for communicating with the gaming system, and a game controller and a user interface for providing a game in which a plurality of symbols are selected and presented on a display of the user interface and if a winning combination occurs, the gaming machine awards an award, wherein the gaming system further comprises an award controller that selects, using a random selection process, one or more of a plurality of possible eligibility criteria each defining at least one possible combination of the plurality of symbols corresponding to a winning outcome of the game, and communicates the selected eligibility criteria to the game controller of each of the linked gaming machines where information identifying the selected eligibility criteria is displayed, the selected one or more eligibility criteria defining an active award trigger event associated with an active award, and wherein the game controller monitors play of the game for the occurrence of the active award trigger event, and, in response to a predefined change event occurring before the active award trigger event, the award controller selects, using a random selection process, a new one or more of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria, wherein the game controller delays the selection for a delay period following occurrence of the predefined change event; and in response to the occurrence of the active award trigger event, the game controller controls the communication interface to send a notice of the occurrence of the active award trigger event to the gaming system. 
     
     
       8. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein the notice is received by the award controller, which then communicates a second notice to each of the linked gaming machines. 
     
     
       9. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein the predefined change event is selected from the group of:
 a time-based event, the occurrence of which is dictated according to either determinative or random criteria; 
 receipt by the game controller or award controller of a predefined command; or 
 a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       10. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein in different selections of one or more of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria, the selection is made from different sets of possible eligibility criteria. 
     
     
       11. The gaming system of  claim 10  wherein a change between the different sets of possible eligibility criteria occurs in a predetermined pattern or includes at least a component that is varied randomly. 
     
     
       12. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein the predetermined change event comprises one or more of:
 the elapsing of a certain period of time; 
 the occurrence of a change of the active trigger event based on game activity of the gaming machine; 
 the provision by the player of a particular wager; or 
 receipt of a change input at an operator interface of a device in direct or indirect communication with the gaming machine. 
 
     
     
       13. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein a feature game that operates over a plurality of game events is awarded in response to the occurrence of the active award trigger. 
     
     
       14. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein a special prize selected from the group comprising a progressive prize, a non-cash prize and a large prize is awarded in response to the occurrence of the active award trigger. 
     
     
       15. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein different occurrences of the active award trigger event result in awards that vary for the different occurrences. 
     
     
       16. The gaming system of  claim 7  wherein different ones of the plurality of possible eligibility criteria have different probabilities of occurrence.